C-Section

Cesarean section, C-section, or Cesarean birth is the surgical delivery of a baby through a cut (incision) made in the mother's abdomen and uterus. Health care providers use it when they believe it is safer for the mother, the baby, or both.

Women can choose from many different types of birth control methods. These include, in order of most effective to least effective at preventing pregnancy:

Several conditions make a Cesarean delivery more likely. These include:

Abnormal fetal heart rate. The fetal heart rate during labor is a good sign of how well the fetus is doing. Your provider will monitor the fetal heart rate during labor. The normal rate varies between 120 to 160 beats per minute. If the fetal heart rate shows there may be a problem, your provider will take immediate action. This may be giving the mother oxygen, increasing fluids, and changing the mother's position. If the heart rate doesn’t improve, he or she may do a Cesarean delivery.
Abnormal position of the fetus during birth. The normal position for the fetus during birth is head-down, facing the mother's back. Sometimes a fetus is not in the right position. This makes delivery more difficult through the birth canal.
Problems with labor. Labor that fails to progress or does not progress the way it should.
Size of the fetus. The baby is too large for your provider to deliver vaginally.
Placenta problems. This includes placenta previa, in which the placenta blocks the cervix. (Premature detachment from the fetus is known as abruption.)
Certain conditions in the mother, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or HIV infection
Active herpes sores in the mother’s vagina or cervix
Twins or other multiples
Previous C-section

Your doctor may have other reasons to recommend a Cesarean delivery

FAQs

These are some of the reasons why a cesarean birth may be done:

Failure of labor to progress—Contractions may not open the cervix enough for the baby to move into the vagina.Concern for the baby—For example, the umbilical cord may become pinched or compressed or fetal monitoring may detect an abnormal heart rate.
Multiple pregnancy—Many women having twins are able to have a vaginal delivery. But if the babies are born too early, are not in good positions in the uterus, or if there are other problems, a cesarean birth may be needed. The chance of having a cesarean birth goes up with the number of babies.
Problems with the placenta
A very large baby
Breech presentation
You have a medical condition that makes vaginal birth risky—For example, a cesarean delivery may be done if you have an active genital herpes infection during labor. It may also be done if you have certain heart conditions or certain brain problems, such as an aneurysm.

A cut (incision) is made through your skin and the wall of the abdomen. The skin incision may be transverse (side to side or "bikini") or vertical (up and down). The muscles in your abdomen are separated and may not need to be cut. Another incision will be made in the wall of the uterus. The incision in the wall of the uterus can also be either transverse or vertical.

The baby is delivered through the incisions. The umbilical cord is cut. The placenta is removed from the uterus. The uterus is closed with stitches that will dissolve in the body. Surgical thread, staples, surgical glue, or a combination may be used to close your abdominal skin. Staples and some types of stitches must be removed a few days later. Most closures are absorbed by the body and do not need to be removed.

If you are awake for the surgery, you may be able to hold your baby right away. You will be taken to a recovery room or directly to your room. Your blood pressure, pulse rate, breathing rate, amount of bleeding, and abdomen will be checked regularly.

If you are planning on breastfeeding, tell your ob-gyn before surgery. If all is going well for you and your baby, you should be able to start breastfeeding soon after delivery.

You may need to stay in bed for a while. The first few times you get out of bed, a nurse or other adult should help you.

Soon after surgery, the catheter is removed from the bladder. You will receive IV fluids after your delivery until you are able to eat and drink.

The abdominal incision will be sore for the first few days. Your doctor can prescribe pain medication for you to take after the anesthesia wears off. A heating pad may be helpful.A hospital stay after a cesarean birth is usually 2 to 4 days. The length of your stay depends on the reason for the cesarean birth and on how long it takes for your body to recover. When you go home, take special care of yourself and limit your activities.

It will take a few weeks for your abdomen to heal. While you recover, you may have

mild cramping, especially if you are breastfeeding
bleeding or discharge for about 4 to 6 weeks
bleeding with clots and cramps
pain or numbness in the incision

To prevent infection, do not place anything in your vagina (such as tampons) or have sex for a few weeks. Allow time to heal before doing any strenuous activity.